Not sure where to start when it comes to freight broker software? Don’t worry! Getloaded has you covered with our list of the top seven best TMS for freight brokers!
In the demanding world of freight brokering, you have a lot on your plate. Not only do you have to bridge the gap between shippers and carriers and negotiate rates, but you also need to meticulously track shipments and navigate the complexities of documentation. In short, being a broker isn’t a walk in the park, especially if you’re doing everything manually.
The good news is that a transportation management system (TMS) can help — and with the right TMS, you can gain a competitive edge by efficiently managing your diverse set of responsibilities.
What is a transportation management system (TMS)?
Before we dive into the top transportation TMS options on the market, let’s first review what exactly a transportation management system is. In a nutshell, a TMS is a tool that can help shippers, carriers, brokers, and third-party logistics providers create a more efficient supply chain. Not only can transportation management software help brokers monitor operations, but it can also help you plan and refine your entire business.
With solutions from top TMS providers, you can say goodbye to the hassle associated with paper-based systems and spreadsheets. Instead, you can count on your freight broker software to provide deep insights into your business and streamline tasks like route planning, carrier selection, shipment tracking, and logistics management. Ultimately, TMS software for freight brokers can increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, improve collaboration between key players in the supply chain, and enhance overall visibility and control.
Why is it important to use transportation management software as a broker?
As a broker, you need to effectively manage and optimize your transportation operations — and there’s no better way to do that than with a freight management system. By providing a centralized platform, TMS software for freight brokers will enable you to streamline your logistical processes, cut backend office costs, and save time.
Not only can a freight broker TMS automate manual and time-consuming tasks, such as load matching, invoicing, and carrier selection, but it can also offer real-time visibility into shipments, allowing you to track deliveries, proactively address issues, and provide accurate information to your clients. As a result, you’ll have smoother operations, fewer errors, and stronger client relationships.
What’s more, solutions from top TMS providers can help you manage your network of carriers more effectively, ensure carrier compliance, and negotiate better rates, leading to cost savings and increased profitability. So, if you’re trying to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced landscape, you need one of the top transportation management systems on your side!
What features should you look for when choosing a freight management system?
Choosing the right transportation TMS for your brokerage is a must if you want to optimize your operations, but knowing what exactly to look for can be tricky if you’ve never used freight broker software before.
First, you’ll need a freight broker TMS with a user-friendly interface. After all, even the most feature-rich TMS will fall short if it’s complex and confusing to navigate. On the other hand, if you find a transportation management software that’s easy to use, you can save time and unlock your transportation TMS’ full potential.
Top transportation management systems are also known for their tracking and visibility capabilities. To make informed decisions, address issues quickly, and ultimately deliver top-tier service to your customers, you need a transportation TMS that provides robust tracking and real-time visibility into the status and location of shipments.
Scalability is another key factor to consider, especially if you anticipate your brokerage growing. While having a freight broker TMS capable of handling your current shipment volume is a good start, that’s not enough. You need a TMS that can scale with your business, as this ensures that it remains a valuable asset over the long term.
Additionally, you may want to find a transportation TMS with integration capabilities. If you opt for a freight broker TMS that can be integrated with your tracking, accounting, and load board tools, you can streamline your workflow, saving time and effort.
Top TMS providers also know that mobile access is another must-have, which is why many offer mobile access for brokers on the move. If your transportation TMS offers mobile access, you’ll have the information you need to make decisions in real-time, meaning you can be agile, connected, informed, and in control no matter where you are.
Finally, you’ll want to look for a customized and flexible transportation TMS because your brokerage business is unique and you deserve a solution that can meet all your needs.
Top 7 TMS software for freight brokers
You have a lot of choices when it comes to freight broker software, but not all transportation TMS options are created equal. Some will claim to be the best TMS for freight brokers, but how can you really tell which freight broker software is really among the top transportation management systems?
If you’re having trouble, don’t worry! We’ve made a list of seven of our favorite freight broker software to help point you in the right direction.
1. Broker TMS from DAT One
Broker TMS takes the top spot thanks to its comprehensive and integrated system. Crafted with brokers in mind, Broker TMS can help streamline your operations and raise profits. After all, it can help reduce or entirely eliminate billing emails, fax digitization, and other manual, time-consuming tasks.
Additionally, Broker TMS features many financial management and accounting tools that can make keeping track of and improving your cash flow easier. For example, you can take advantage of Broker TMS’ automated load billing, custom reports, and rapid invoice generation tools to save time, gain financial visibility, and optimize your business’s performance.
Created by DAT, a leading TMS provider and load board host in the industry, Broker TMS is a reliable choice. It can be seamlessly combined with other DAT services like the DAT load board and carrier verification tools, providing all the necessary features to run a successful freight brokerage business efficiently.
You can post an unlimited number of loads and trucks, seamlessly manage documents, communicate with carriers, and effortlessly post loads with a single click. You can also track your loads for as little as $1 per load! Furthermore, DAT Broker TMS is highly customizable and designed to adapt to your evolving business needs through its modular structure. You can expand its capabilities with modules such as CRM Sales, Outside Agent, LTL consolidation, Hubtrans, CarrierWatch, and more, ensuring it continues to meet your brokerage’s requirements over time. With DAT Broker TMS, you’re equipped for sustained growth and efficiency in the dynamic world of freight brokering.
2. Truckbase
If you have a smaller business, Truckbase TMS could be the perfect freight management system for you. This affordably priced TMS was built specifically for small fleets — but it still has plenty of useful features. For example, you can automate load building and dispatch, use instant invoicing tools, or even allow drivers to upload their BOLs using integrated mobile scanning. Simplifying and automating these mundane tasks means you can save time and won’t have to expand your back office.
Truckbase TMS also offers plenty of valuable integrations to further simplify your operations. Its Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) integration allows for seamless data synchronization between your TMS and your customers’ systems, while its Electronic Logging Device (ELD) integration provides real-time tracking and visibility into trucks. If you’re looking to streamline your accounting processes, you can even integrate Truckbase TMS with QuickBooks to reduce your workload and increase overall efficiency.
3. OpenRoad
OpenRoad TMS is also among the top transportation management systems. Not only does it have an incredibly user-friendly platform, but it’s also quite comprehensive. In fact, you can handle operations, invoice customers, track maintenance, dispatch loads, process settlements, and more from OpenRoad TMS!
Additionally, OpenRoad TMS can provide valuable insights that will help you gain control over your operations, boost your brokerage’s cash flow, and better use your assets, all while delivering incredible customer service. With OpenRoad TMS, you’ll have up-to-date knowledge of shipment updates, load statuses, and truck, trailer, and ELD data, meaning you can quickly fix delays and maximize productivity.
4. Oracle TMS
If you use Oracle’s transportation TMS, Oracle Transportation Management (OTM) Cloud, you can expect some significant transportation order management and rate management improvements. After all, OTM Cloud will allow you to manage your rates and gain insights across your operations from a centralized location. It even has a logistics digital assistant to answer your questions 24/7.
It can be integrated with a variety of other systems, adding even more functionality. Not only can it integrate with Oracle solutions like the Oracle Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) applications, but it can also be integrated with external purchasing, order management, and warehouse systems. What’s more, you’ll have access to Oracle Business Intelligence Publisher, which can create in-depth reports offering insights into any projected late orders, cost savings, carrier performance by lane, bill of ladings, commercial invoices, and packing lists.
5. PCS Soft TMS
Recognized on the 2023 Capterra Shortlist for Trucking Software, PCS Software’s TMS is popular among shippers, carriers, and brokers alike. This all-in-one transportation management software is powered by artificial intelligence and offers a wide variety of features that can greatly simplify your life.
For example, PCS Soft TMS offers ELD and mobile features, which can help when it comes to driver communication, analytics, and automated compliance. You can view rates and capacities in real-time and even use PC Soft TMS’ ELD, load, and deadhead optimization recommendations to increase profits. What’s more, this TMS can integrate with other top industry tools, provides easy-to-understand dashboards, has a graphical scheduling matrix, and is ready to grow alongside your business!
6. FreightPOP
Named #319 on the Inc.5000 2022 list, FreightPOP is a powerful tool for brokers with its one-click logistics management — and it’s easy to use. Not only does it have pre-built connectivity, but it also offers one-click carrier adding and quick-start onboarding, which can save you valuable time. Instead of waiting for weeks, you can have everything up and running in mere hours. Additionally, there’s no need to sign any lengthy contracts or make a serious commitment with FreightPOP.
With FreightPOP, you’ll also receive next-level planning features. Instead of only receiving reports for events that have already occurred, FreightPop’s analytics and audit features can help you make smarter decisions and identify savings opportunities. You’ll also be able to find the best rates, print BOLs and invoices, analyze trends, and track outbound, inbound, and multi-leg trips.
FreightPOP also offers over 300 integrations, covering everything from accounting software to inventory control software to ERPs, which can help automate your supply chain. Plus, if your preferred systems aren’t already on their list, the FreightPOP team can connect your existing software.
7. Alvys
Alvys TMS is an all-in-one solution for brokers that offers top-tier integrations, smart workflows, and a simple onboarding process. With this TMS in your back pocket, you can gain a bird’s-eye view of your entire brokerage’s operations from a single location, and you can get the hang of it pretty quickly thanks to Alvys’ intuitive interface and free onboarding training and team.
Another thing that sets Alvys apart is its TMS workflows. Each of Alvys’ TMS workflows was created by industry veterans and specifically designed to help eliminate manual tasks and save brokers time.
With Alvys TMS, you can seamlessly collaborate with the rest of your team and communicate with customers. Plus, it offers one-click accounting, an easy-to-use mobile app, the ability to find truck capacity, and advanced analytics and reporting capabilities. This transportation TMS also has its own EDI solution and over 100 software integrations!
Get ahead of the competition with Broker TMS!
If you’re ready to move more freight with fewer people, Broker TMS from DAT One can help. Capable of eliminating redundant tasks, providing tools to boost profitability, and streamlining your operations, Broker TMS can help you grow your business, starting at just $100 per month.
Take your brokerage to the next level with Broker TMS!
Ready to level up your broker business? You need Broker TMS from DAT One. Designed specifically for brokers, Broker TMS can help streamline your operations, saving you time and money.
Discover what DAT’s Broker TMS can do for you today!
